New Priorities: AFBF establishes 2026 policies, elects new leadership
On Jan. 14, farmer and rancher delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 107th Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2026.
Key topics included labor, animal health, risk management and more.
2026 priorities
For the fourth year, delegates were polled during the voting session regarding their farms.
The results show almost 99 percent of those who cast votes operate family farms and more than two-thirds represent small- to mid-size farms, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This discussion highlighted the fact farmers across the spectrum and across the country are struggling.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are facing unprecedented challenges in agriculture, including high supply costs, trade imbalances and low commodity prices. Today, our members gave us clear guidance on how we should address these challenges in the coming year,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
“AFBF’s strength was on display today, as our grassroots set the policy for this organization,” Duvall added. “We look forward to taking their stories to leaders in Washington, D.C. as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to fill pantries for families across the country.”
Delegates adopted policy to improve labor programs to meet the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers, including formalizing support for the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology and further revisions to avoid unpredictable rate swings in the future.
They voted to support federal funding for research and biosecurity facilities to better identify and combat illnesses and pests which threaten the health of crops and animals.
New policy also includes committing more resources specifically to eradicate the New World screwworm and keeping the U.S.-Mexico border closed to cattle trade until the screwworm is controlled.
Delegates revised national farm policy to provide more protection for dairy farmers who may suffer losses due to market challenges.
Delegates also formalized support for prioritizing locally-grown fruits, vegetables, bread and proteins in institutional purchases such as schools and government facilities.
Voting members also requested the board of directors analyze several agricultural issues, including the impact of tariffs and the lack of affordable insurance options for poultry farmers.
Leadership elections
Beyond policy changes, AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Vice President Scott VanderWal were unanimously re-elected for another two-year term.
Delegates also elected members to serve on the AFBF Board of Directors and national program committees.
Stacy Simunek of Oklahoma, who represents the Southern Region, was elected to fill a one-year term on the AFBF Board of Directors. Joyce Brady of New Hampshire, representing the Northeast Region, and ValJay Rigby of Utah, representing the Western Region, were elected to two-year terms.
Eleven other state farm bureau presidents were re-elected to two-year terms to represent their regions on the board.
From the Midwest Region were Garrett Hawkins of Missouri and Mark McHargue of Nebraska; from the Northeast Region was Chris Hoffman of Pennsylvania and from the Western Region were Carlyle Currier of Colorado and Rosella Mosby of Washington.
Presidents re-elected in the Southern Region include Eddie Melton of Kentucky, Harry Ott of South Carolina, Jimmy Parnell of Alabama, Scott Sink of Virginia, Jeb Smith of Florida and Dan Wright of Arkansas.
National program committees
Julie Hardy of Georgia, representing the Southern Region, was elected to a two-year term on the Women’s Leadership Committee, while Mindy Orschell of Indiana, representing the Midwest Region; Dot Jensen of Utah, representing the Western Region and Jennifer Cross of Maryland, representing the Northeast Region, were re-elected to two-year terms.
Heidi Cooper of Massachusetts was elected chair, Steve Breeding of Delaware was elected vice chair and Lynn Leahy of Wisconsin was elected secretary of the Promotion and Engagement Committee. They will each serve one-year terms.
Additionally, Tommy Salisbury of Oklahoma was elected chair, Cleve Jackson of Georgia was elected vice chair and Katie Wiese of Minnesota was elected secretary of the Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. They will each serve one-year terms beginning in March at the end of the YF&R Conference.
AFBF appreciates the 110 speakers and 4,500 registered attendees who helped make the 2026 Convention such a success.
Planning for AFBF’s 2027 Convention has already begun and is set to take place Jan. 8-13, 2027 in Charlotte, N.C.
AFBF is the national advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Every year, farm bureau members in more than 2,800 counties meet to discuss and vote on policies affecting their farms, ranches and communities. These policies then set the agenda for their state farm bureaus and ultimately AFBF. For more information, visit fb.org.
